Nunney International Horse Trials was silent for a minute at 11am on Sunday as a mark of respect for Canadian eventing rider Jordan McDonald, who died after a fall from his horse Only Me at the event the previous day.

South Western Ambulance Service, which was called to the scene at 1.38pm, said McDonald, 30, had suffered a “traumatic cardiac injury”.

The Western Daily Press reported that two doctors were on the scene, and an air and road ambulance were sent. They found McDonald unconscious and not breathing. He was taken to Royal United Hospital, Bath, by ambulance, but could not be revived.

The Mid-Week Herald said on Monday that initial reports indicated that the horse may have left a leg at the log fence, but the accident was being investigated.

It also said that McDonald, an accomplished musician and qualified commercial airline pilot, had competed up to two star level in Britain.

British Eventing has expressed its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of McDonald, and Benjamin Winter, who suffered a fatal accident at the Luhmühlen Horse Trials in Germany on the same day.

The Board, Chief Executive and staff at British Eventing said that Saturday “was an extremely sad day for so many in the eventing community. The loss of these two young men is nothing less than tragic and words cannot begin to express how difficult this time will be for everyone connected to both riders as well as the those people involved with the events themselves.”

BE also expressed its gratitude to the Organising Committee of Nunney International, landowner Angela Yeoman, and the volunteers and officials for how professionally they dealt with the accident at Nunney.

“An incident of this nature affects so many people in and around the sport.”

Graeme Thom, Chair of Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee said the entire Canadian eventing community was devastated by the accident. “I have known Jordan as a great friend for over a dozen years and also as a member of our national team program. I extend my sincerest condolences and equally those of our entire Canadian eventing family.”

BE said that its thoughts were also with Tom Crisp and the connections of Liberal, who died following a suspected heart attack on the cross country course at Luhmühlen CCI4*.

“British Eventing would also like to thank all those who have expressed their deepest sympathies and support on social media and for showing such respect at this very difficult time.”